We were served an assortment of fresh local fruit and cinnamon rolls for breakfast – mmm! – and given a brief rundown of the best snorkeling practices, including how to properly clear your mask and remain as calm as possible so as not to scare away the surrounding marine life. After arriving in less than 15 minutes, Sean told us a bit about the history of the crater, including its use as bombing practice during WWII up to its current state as part of a Marine Life Conservation District and Hawaii State Seabird Sanctuary. We boarded the second of two Redline rafts, which hold a maximum of 24 combined guests, and set out for our first stop at Molokini Crater, a volcanic atoll located only a couple miles from Maui’s south shore. While certainly not attractive, they are functional and will make for a warmer and more comfortable ocean experience. Sean, our Captain for the day and co-owner of Redline Rafting, greeting us with a friendly hello before having us fill out a brief safety waiver and pointing us to Chase, our second guide, to get fitted for a shorty wetsuit.
And, as an extra special bonus for even the most grumpy of non morning-time folks, Redline has coffee ready and waiting at their South Kihei Boat Ramp meeting point. That being said, earlier is always better on Maui, especially when it comes to enjoying a day on the ocean, mostly due to strong afternoon tradewinds that can make for rough ocean conditions later in the day. If my alarm clock wakes me up before the sound of my upstairs neighbors’ incessant morning stomping, I know something has gone terribly wrong. So when I got the chance to hop aboard the Redline raft for a second time, my answer was a resounding ‘yes please.’įirst off, 6:30am is early.
I’ve done it all (minus others like scuba diving, windsurfing, kitesurfing, free diving, bottom fishing and spearfishing), and am always ready for more. Snorkeling, whale watching, surfing, outrigger canoeing, kayaking, sunset sailing, submarine adventures, you name it. The bay is a natural habitat for the Hawaiian spinner dolphin, so keep a look out and get your camera ready! At 'Turtle Town,' jump in the water and swim with the friendly Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles! After snorkeling with the turtles, refuel with a deli lunch before heading back to Maui.Having lived on Maui for nearly two years, I am no stranger to ocean activities. Then, head on over to your final snorkeling destination, 'Turtle Town,' in La Perouse Bay.
Water visibility at this prime diving and snorkeling spot often reaches 180 feet (55 meters)! After snorkeling in the crater, head to the backside of Molokini Crater, a place many people rarely see, for another snorkeling experience. Here, you'll also enjoy a delicious continental breakfast. As the first boat to arrive at the crater, the waters will be uncrowded. Skip over the waves on a comfortable and speedy military-inspired, eco-friendly raft to the Molokini Crater, where you will snorkel with tropical fish, rays and various other wildlife. Duration: 5 hours $125 From Maui, embark on a small-group adventure to Molokini, a crescent-shaped volcanic crater located between the Hawaiian islands of Maui and Kahoʻolawe.